Inflation system

ABSTRACT

The inflation system includes a pump and a dehumidifier fluidly connected between the pump and a reservoir, such as a tire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/184,848 filed 8-Nov.-2018 which claims the benefit of USProvisional Application No. 62/584,584 filed 10-Nov.-2017, which isincorporated in its entirety by this reference.

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/863,119filed 23-Sep.-2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/204,674 filed 11-Mar.-2014, each of which is incorporated in itsentirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the pumping field, and morespecifically to a new and useful inflation system in the pumping field.

BACKGROUND

In many inflation applications, such as tire inflation applications, itis highly desirable to keep water or other liquids from entering thetarget reservoir (e.g., end container, such as a tire), and to fill theend container with dry working fluid (e.g., air) instead of humidworking fluid. This can be particularly desirable in applications wheretire life maximization is desired (e.g., such as in tires-as-a-serviceapplications) and/or in applications where the tire is being repeatedlyinflated and deflated (e.g., in dynamic tire pressure controlapplications), because water in the tire lumen can contribute toincreased tire degradation and tire imbalance. Thus, there is a need inthe pumping field to create a new and useful inflation system with watermanagement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a flow diagram of the inflationsystem.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a flow diagram variation of awheel-mounted tire inflation system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of an example ofthe inflation system, mounted to a wheel.

FIG. 4 is an example of an inflation system that removably staticallymounts to a wheel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a variant of the inflationsystem with a collection region.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a variant of the inflationsystem with a dehydrator tracing the housing perimeter.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a variant of the dehydratordefining a tortuous flow path through the desiccant.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a variant of the dehydrator witha regeneration manifold.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the method.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a variation of the method.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a second variation of the method

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of purging the dehumidifier toregenerate the dehumidifier.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an example of the method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1. Overview

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation system 100 includes a pump 200 and adehumidifier 300 fluidly connected between the pump 200 and a reservoir10, such as a tire 11. The inflation system 100 can optionally include aregeneration system 400, a housing 800, a cooling system 500, areservoir connector 600, a control system 700, one or more manifoldsfluidly connecting inflation system components, one or more valvescontrolling fluid flow between system components and/or the ambientenvironment, or any other suitable set of components.

The inflation system 100 functions to pump working fluid 30 (e.g., gas,air, nitrogen, etc.) from a fluid source into a reservoir 10. Invariants, the inflation system 100 functions to pressurize working fluid30, dehumidify the pressurized working fluid 32, and inflate the tire 11with the dehumidified, pressurized working fluid 34. The inflationsystem 100 can also function to extract moisture and/or particulatesfrom the gas prior to introduction into the reservoir 10, and to disposeof the extracted moisture and/or particulates. The inflation system 100is preferably a tire inflation system 100, but can additionally oralternatively be any used in any other suitable application.

In a specific example (example shown in FIG. 2), the inflation system100 is a wheel-mounted tire inflation system, and includes: a pump 200mounted to (or mountable to) a wheel 21 of a vehicle and fluidlyconnected to a working fluid source (e.g., the ambient environment) at apump inlet; a dehumidifier 300 fluidly connected to the pump outlet; anda tire connector fluidly connecting (or configured to fluidly connect)the dehumidifier 300 outlet to the tire 11. The dehumidifier 300 ispreferably a desiccant 320 that adsorbs water from the pressurizedworking fluid 32, but can be any suitable dehumidifier 300. Theinflation system 100 can optionally include a regeneration system 400connected to the dehumidifier 300, wherein the regeneration system 400can include: a heating system that heats the dehumidifier 300; a purgingsystem 420, such as a regenerating valve selectively connecting the tireinterior to the dehumidifier 300; a purge valve selectively fluidlyconnecting the dehumidifier 300 to the ambient environment; and/or anyother suitable regeneration system. The regeneration system 400 can beintegrated into the inflation manifold that defines the fluid path fordehumidified, pressurized working fluid supply to the tire, or caninclude one or more secondary manifolds selectively routing tire air 12to the dehumidifier 300. The inflation system can optionally include oneor more cooling systems 500, such as an expansion chamber (e.g., anisentropic or isobaric expansion chamber), arranged between the pump 200and the dehumidifier 300, the dehumidifier 300 and the tire 11, the tire11 and the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., as part of the regeneration system400), or otherwise arranged. The inflation system 100 can optionallyinclude a control system 700 and a set of sensors (e.g., humiditysensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) that monitor andcontrol inflation system component operation. The inflation system 100can optionally include one or more preliminary dehumidifiers 300′located upstream of the primary dehumidifier 300 (e.g., such that theinflation system 100 is a multi-stage dehumidification system). Thepreliminary dehumidifier 300′ can be located: upstream of the pump 200(e.g., at or before the pump inlet), between the pump 200 and thedehumidifier 300, or otherwise located. The inflation system 100 canoptionally include a tire purge valve, connected to the tire connectorthat functions to deflate the tire 11 (e.g., to the ambient environment,to purge the dehumidifier 300, etc.).

In an example of wheel-mounted inflation system operation (examplesshown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12), the method includes: pressurizing aworking fluid with the pump, rotating with the wheel, to generatepressurized working fluid S100; dehumidifying the pressurized workingfluid with the dehumidifier to generate dehumidified working fluid S200;and providing the dehumidified working fluid to the tire mounted to thewheel S300. The inflation system can optionally: regenerate thedehumidifier (during pump rotation with the wheel) S400 by: heating thedehumidifier, purging the dehumidifier (e.g., with pressurized tireair), or otherwise regenerating the dehumidifier. The inflation systemcan optionally: cool the working fluid S500 before or afterpressurization with the pump; selectively control pump, dehumidifier,and/or regeneration system operation; and/or remove a liquid fractionfrom the working fluid before, during, or after pressurization with thepump 200 (e.g., resulting a two-stage liquid removal process). Invariants, liquid fraction removal can include leveraging the centripetalforce (generated by system rotation with the wheel) to collect liquid ina radially-outward collection region within the inflation system,wherein the collected liquid can be purged from the collection region.

2. Benefits

Variants of the systems and/or methods can confer several benefitsand/or advantages over conventional systems.

First, variants of the system can enable air compression at the wheelend of a vehicle system for provision of compressed air to vehicletires, instead of centralized air compression and distributed deliveryof the compressed air. Placing compression at the wheel end can reducethe complexity and extent of pressurized fluid manifolds and/or conduits(e.g., as compared to a centralized fluid compression system).

Second, variants of the system can provide drier working fluid for tireinflation (over conventional wheel-mounted or central tire inflationsystems) by shortening the distance between the dehumidifier 300 and thetire interior (e.g., by mounting the dehumidifier 300 on or near thewheel 21).

Variants of the system can also confer this benefit by arranging thedehumidifier 300 within the fluid path connecting the pump 200 and thetire 11. In particular, the inventors have discovered that, in some usecases (e.g., repeated tire inflation/deflation applications), waterremoval pre-pressurization does not remove a sufficient proportion ofthe water fraction entrained within the working fluid 30, resulting inwater buildup within the tire interior over time.

The inventors have also discovered that, in some use cases (e.g.,dynamic tire inflation/deflation applications), condensation orcentrifugal water extraction from the pressurized working fluid 32 alsodoes not remove a sufficient proportion of the water fraction entrainedwithin the working fluid. Variants of the system can resolve this issueby leveraging multi-stage water removal. For example, system variantscan include at least two stages of water removal: a first stage at thepump 200 (e.g., wherein the pump compression separates the liquidfraction from the gaseous fraction) or after the pump 200 (e.g., using acondensation manifold connected to the pump outlet with nucleationpoints), and a second stage (e.g., using the dehumidifier 300)downstream from the first stage. Variants of the system can also resolvethis issue by using a desiccant 320 as the dehumidifier 300, wherein thepressurized working fluid 32 is passed through the desiccant 320 enroute to the tire interior. However, the system can otherwise resolvethis issue.

Third, variants of the system can enable long-term performance (e.g.,providing pressurized working fluid 32 having less than a predeterminedentrained water fraction) by regenerating the dehumidifier 300 on-boardthe inflation system 100, and/or by having a replaceable dehumidifier300. For example, the dehumidifier 300 can be regenerated: duringinflation system 100 operation, during wheel rotation (e.g., duringvehicle operation), after vehicle operation cessation, or at any othersuitable time. In some variants, the dehumidifier 300 can be regeneratedusing air from the tire, which can be drier than the air supplied by thepump 200 because the tire air 12 has been previously dehumidified andexpanded within the tire volume. This can confer faster and/or moreefficacious dehumidifier regeneration.

Fourth, variants of the system can enable repeated tire inflation anddeflation cycles, which can be desirable when dynamically adjusting tirepressure to meet a target tire pressure. The target tire pressure can bedetermined based on operation conditions, such as road conditions orenvironment conditions; be determined based on the wheel make or model;determined based on the vehicle weight; or otherwise determined. Forexample, the tire pressure can be increased to take advantage of reducedrolling resistance on recently paved, smooth roads where the risk of atire rupture due to road roughness is low. These variants enable thisbenefit by: dynamically inflating the tire during vehicle operation, andby minimizing the volume or concentration of water entrained in theinflation fluid (pressurized working fluid 32), thereby increasing tirereliability and lifespan.

Fifth, variants of the system can be distributed at each wheel of thevehicle (or a subset of wheels of the vehicle), which can reduce thevehicle-level complexity of an auto-inflation system 100 compared to acentralized inflation system 100, and can enable the control of tirepressure on a per-wheel basis without the need for complex and expensiveplumbing, valve networks, and/or pressurized fluid manifolds.

Sixth, variants of the system can be physically rugged, robust, and/orotherwise resilient to the harsh environment in the vicinity of thewheel due to exposure to road debris and other hazards.

However, the system and/or method can confer any other suitable benefitsand/or advantages.

3. System

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation system 100 includes a pump 200 and adehumidifier 300 fluidly connected between the pump 200 and a reservoir10, such as a tire 11. The inflation system 100 can optionally include aregeneration system 400, a housing 800, a cooling system 500, areservoir connector 600, a control system 700, one or more manifoldsfluidly connecting inflation system components, one or more valvescontrolling fluid flow between system components and/or the ambientenvironment, or any other suitable set of components.

The reservoir 10 is preferably a lumen or interior of a tire 11, but canalternatively or additionally be an intermediate reservoir 10 (e.g.,defined by the inflation system housing 800), a pressure tank, or be anyother suitable reservoir.

The working fluid source (fluid source) functions to provide workingfluid 30 to the inflation system 100. The working fluid source ispreferably the ambient environment, but can alternatively oradditionally include a gas canister, a preliminary pump 200′ (e.g., partof the inflation system 100, mounted to the inflation system housing800, be a central tire inflation system 100, etc.), the tire interior,or any other suitable working fluid source. The working fluid 30 ispreferably air, but can alternatively be nitrogen or any other suitablegas and/or liquid.

The inflation system 100 is preferably configured to statically coupleto a rotatable surface 20 (examples shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), but canalternatively be configured to mount to a static surface, a verticalsurface, a cart, or to any other suitable support structure. Theinflation system 100 can be mountable to the rotatable surface 20 (e.g.,include bolt holes, hooks, or other mounting mechanisms), be mounted tothe rotatable surface 20 (e.g., removably, permanently, etc.),integrated into the rotatable surface 20 (e.g., be a wheel component),or otherwise coupled to the rotatable surface 20.

The rotatable surface 20 is preferably the wheel 21 of a vehicle, butcan alternatively be any suitable rotatable surface 20. The wheelpreferably supports a tire (e.g., wherein the tire is mounted to thewheel), wherein the inflation system 100 can be fluidly connected to thetire and inflate the tire. The wheel can optionally include: a hub,spokes, a rim, brakes, and/or any other suitable component. The wheel ispreferably rotatably attached to the vehicle by an axle, wherein eachaxle can include two, four, or any suitable number of wheels. In oneexample, an axle can include two wheels on each end. The vehicle caninclude two or more axles (e.g., driven or undriven).

Each vehicle can include one or more inflation systems. For example,when installed, each vehicle can include: one inflation system 100 perwheel, one inflation system 100 per axle end (e.g., include two tireconnectors connecting the inflation system 100 to the first and secondtire, respectively), inflation systems on the driven axles, inflationsystems on the undriven axles, or any suitable number of inflationsystems arranged in any suitable configuration.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inflation system 100 is preferably coupled tothe wheel end (e.g., broad face of the wheel, distal the vehicle center)of the respective wheel, but can alternatively be coupled to the axleend, the hub, spokes, rim (e.g., interior arcuate surface, exteriorarcuate surface, etc.), or to any other suitable wheel or vehiclecomponent.

The inflation system 100 preferably provides dehumidified, pressurizedworking fluid 34 to the reservoir 10. The dehumidified, pressurizedworking fluid 34 preferably has a humidity or water content lower than apredetermined threshold, but can alternatively or additionally have anyother suitable humidity. The predetermined threshold can be: static,determined based on the tire make and/or model, determined based on thetire operation conditions (e.g., tire age, etc.), or otherwisedetermined. The predetermined threshold can be: absolute humidity (e.g.,water vapor pressure), relative humidity, percent of water in theworking fluid by mass, or otherwise defined. The predetermined thresholdcan be: 0.01% water (by mass), less than 0.1% water (by mass), less than1% water (by mass), less than 3% water (by mass), less than 10% water(by mass), or be any other suitable threshold.

The pressurized working fluid 32 supplied to the reservoir 10 preferablyhas a pressure substantially equal to (e.g., within 5%, 10%, etc.) thetarget reservoir pressure (e.g., target tire pressure), but canalternatively have a higher pressure, lower pressure, or any othersuitable pressure. The pressurized working fluid 32 can have the targetreservoir pressure throughout the fluid circuit, or have varyingpressures at different stages of the fluid circuit.

The inflation system components are preferably substantially equallydistributed (e.g., by mass) across the inflation system 100, but canalternatively be unevenly distributed. Heavy components (e.g., battery,motor, pump 200, etc.) are preferably arranged radially inward, whilelighter components (e.g., desiccant 320, manifolds, etc.) can bearranged radially outward, but the components can be otherwise arranged.Components with similar mass are preferably arranged opposing each otheracross the diameter of the inflation system 100, but can alternativelybe otherwise arranged.

Heat-generating components of the inflation system 100 are preferablycollocated or grouped together on the wheel, but can alternatively bedispersed. The heat-generating components are preferably arrangedproximal other heat sources, such as the brakes or bearings, but canalternatively be arranged distal the heat sources (e.g., along aradially outward portion of the wheel, axially outward portion of theinflation system 100, etc.), or otherwise arranged.

The inflation system 100 is preferably operable between at least apumping mode and a standby mode, and can optionally be operable in apurge mode (e.g., wherein liquid within the dehumidifier 300 orcollection region 124 is purged from the system), a deflation mode(e.g., wherein the inflation system 100 deflates the reservoir 10), orin any other suitable set of modes. In one variation, the pumping mode,standby mode, and purge modes are discrete modes. In a second variation,the pumping, standby, and/or deflation modes can encompass the purgemode (e.g., wherein the system is concurrently pumped and purged, orpurged during standby). However, the inflation system 100 can beoperable between any suitable set of modes.

The pump 200 of the inflation system 100 functions to pressurize theworking fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein thepressurized working fluid 32 is supplied to a tire. The pump 200 canoptionally generate pressurized working fluid 32 to purge thedehumidifier 300. The pump 200 can optionally function as a preliminarydehumidifier 300′, and remove a portion of the liquid fraction from theworking fluid during working fluid pressurization and/or compression.The first pressure can be: ambient pressure, canister pressure,preliminary pump 200′ pressure (e.g., between a fluid source pressureand the target reservoir pressure), or be any other suitable pressure.The second pressure can be: the target reservoir pressure, lower thanthe target reservoir pressure, higher than the target reservoirpressure, or be any other suitable pressure.

The pump 200 is preferably mounted to the rotatable surface 20 (e.g.,wheel), such that the pump 200 rotates with the rotatable surface 20,but can alternatively be mounted to a structure proximal the rotatablesurface 20 (e.g., axle), be mounted distal the rotatable surface 20(e.g., to the body of the vehicle), or be otherwise located. The pump200 is preferably mounted to the housing 800 of the inflation system100, which is, in turn, mounted to the rotatable surface 20, but canalternatively be directly mounted to or integrated with the rotatablesurface 20.

The pump 200 can include: one or more pump inlets, one or more pumpoutlets, a pump body, a drive mechanism, and/or any other suitablecomponent. The system can include one or more pumps connected in seriesor in parallel. The pump 200 can be: a reciprocating pump 200, a rotarypump 200, a diaphragm pump 200, a peristaltic pump 200, or be any othersuitable pump.

The pump inlet can be fluidly connected (e.g., directly or indirectly)to the fluid source, a preliminary dehumidifier 300′ (e.g., an upstreamfilter, membrane, coalescing system, etc.), or any other suitablecomponent. The fluid source can include: one or more preliminary pumps200′ (e.g., to form a multi-stage pressurization system), the ambientenvironment, the reservoir 10 (e.g., the tire interior), a gas canister,or any other suitable fluid source. The pump inlet can optionallyinclude a valve (e.g., check valve, poppet valve, solenoid, etc.) thatselectively controls fluid flow therethrough.

The pump outlet can be fluidly connected (e.g., directly or indirectly)to the reservoir 10 (e.g., the tire), the reservoir connector 600 (e.g.,tire connector), a dehumidifier 300 (e.g., a preliminary dehumidifier300′, the main dehumidifier 300, etc.), or to any other suitablecomponent. In variants, the pump outlet is connected to the reservoir 10by an inflation manifold defining an inflation flow path 110. In aspecific example, the flow path length (fluid path length) can be lessthan the radius of the tire. When the inflation system 100 is configuredto couple to multiple tires, the inflation manifold can split intomultiple sub-manifolds (e.g., N sub-manifolds to engage N tires),connected in parallel to the main inflation manifold, downstream fromthe pump 200 and/or dehumidifier 300.

The pump outlet can optionally include a valve (e.g., check valve,poppet valve, solenoid, etc.) that selectively controls fluid flowtherethrough. The pump outlet is preferably separate and distinct fromthe pump inlet, but can alternatively be the same orifice.

The pump body (pump chamber) of the pump 200 functions to pressurize theworking fluid ingressed through the pump inlet and egressed through thepump outlet. The pump body can includes a pump chamber (e.g., staticallymounted to the wheel) and an actuation element (e.g., a piston) thatactuates relative to the pump chamber along an actuation axis (e.g.,piston actuation axis). The pump 200 is preferably arranged such thatthe actuation axis is substantially aligned with a radius of theinflation system 100, but can alternatively be arranged with theactuation axis perpendicular the inflation system radius, or beotherwise arranged. The pump 200 is preferably arranged with theactuation element arranged radially inward of the pump chamber, but canalternatively be otherwise arranged.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include a collection region 124and/or condensation drain or valve that functions to collect the liquid126 extracted from the working fluid during compression orpressurization. The collection region 124 (and/or condensation drain orvalve) is preferably arranged along a radially-outward portion of thepump chamber, but can alternatively be arranged along a downward portionof the pump chamber (e.g., along a gravity vector), be arranged along aportion of the housing 800, or be arranged in any other suitable portionof the inflation system 100. The collection region 124 can include anoutcropping (e.g., ogive- or wedge-shaped; arranged with an apexopposing the intended rotation direction; etc.; example shown in FIG.5), a corner, or be otherwise configured. The condensation valve can bea centripetal valve (e.g., a valve that opens when a force, applied bywater mass being forced radially outward by inflation system rotation,exceeds a cracking force of the valve; wherein the actuation axis of thevalve disc can be substantially aligned along a radius of the inflationsystem 100; etc.), a solenoid, a check valve, or be any other suitablevalve.

The drive mechanism 210 of the pump 200 functions to drive pump 200actuation (example shown in FIG. 5). The drive mechanism can be: anelectric motor, an eccentric hanging mass that is rotatably mounted tothe wheel and connected to a cam (such as those disclosed in U.S.application Ser. No. 13/188,400 filed 21-Jul.-2011, or U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/797,826 filed 12-Mar.-2013, each of which are incorporatedin their entireties by this reference, etc.), a flywheel, or be anyother suitable drive mechanism. In a specific example, the drivemechanism 210 acts as an energy harvesting mechanism which convertsrelative motion of the wheel into linear force which is used to actuatethe pump.

The pump 200 can be actively controlled, passively controlled (e.g., byrelative motion between inflation system components, backpressure fromthe tire, angular velocity, centripetal force, etc.), or otherwisecontrolled. When the pump 200 is actively controlled, the inflationsystem 100 can include a control system 700 that selectively controlsthe pump rate and/or pump operation based on: the target tire pressure(e.g., stored tire pressure), the angular velocity of the inflationsystem 100, or any other suitable parameter.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the dehumidifier 300 of the inflationsystem 100 functions to reduce the vapor fraction in the pressurizedworking fluid 32, prior to supplying pressurized working fluid 32 to thereservoir 10 (e.g., the tire). The dehumidifier 300 can also function tovent water from the inflation system 100 into a second reservoir 10(e.g., a storage tank, the ambient environment, etc.).

The dehumidifier 300 can: filter, coalesce, aggregate, adsorb, absorb,entrain, or otherwise remove the vapor fraction from the working fluid(pressurized or unpressurized). In operation, the pressurized workingfluid 32 is preferably flowed through the body of the dehumidifier 300(e.g., through the thickness, height, width, a broad face, etc. of thedehumidifier 300; through drying channels, such as tortuous channels orlinear channels defined through the dehumidifier volume, example shownin FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; through pores in the dehumidifier 300; etc.),across the top of the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., to remove humidified airentraining water desorbed from heated desiccant 320), or through anysuitable portion of the dehumidifier.

Examples of dehumidifier 300 that can be used include: desiccant 320, awater-selective membrane (e.g., Gore™ membrane, Nafion™ membrane, protonexchange membranes (PEM), etc.), a coalescing filter, a coalescingmanifold with nucleation points (e.g., straight, boustrophedonic, spiralchannel, etc.), throttling channels or valves 120, condensers (e.g., thepump 200, a second pump, a compressor, a refrigerating system, etc.), orany other suitable dehumidifier.

The desiccant 320 can be: a kinetic bed; a fixed bed; a plurality ofdesiccant 320 beads (e.g., loosely packed, close packed, etc.); a liquidbed that the working fluid is bubbled through; or otherwise constructed.The desiccant 320 can be arranged along an arcuate segment of thehousing 800 (e.g., trace all or a portion of the housing perimeter,example shown in FIG. 6; be arranged along a wedge of the housing;etc.), arranged within a localized dehydrator housing mounted to thehousing 800 (e.g., be arranged along a radius of the housing 800), or beotherwise arranged. The desiccant 320 can be arranged in a desiccanthousing with an inlet and an outlet (e.g., for pressurized working fluid32 ingress or egress, respectively), or be otherwise contained. Thedesiccant 320 (e.g., hygroscopic substance) can include: activatedalumina, aerogel, benzophenone, clay (e.g., bentonite clay), calciumchloride, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate (drierite), cobalt(II)chloride, copper(II) sulfate, lithium chloride, lithium bromide,magnesium sulfate, magnesium perchlorate, molecular sieve, phosphoruspentoxide, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, silica gel, sodium,sodium chlorate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate,sucrose, sulfuric acid, a combination of the above (e.g., to maximize oroptimize water adsorption at the ambient humidity for the operationenvironment), or any other suitable substance or material. The mass ofdesiccant 320 can be: predetermined (e.g., 3 grams, 5 grams, 10 grams,20 grams, between 1 gram and 100 grams, or be any suitable amount), bedetermined based on the humidity of the ambient environment (oranticipated geographic location), be determined based on the mass of acounterbalancing inflation system component, or be otherwise determined.

The dehumidifier 300 is preferably mounted to the rotatable surface 20(e.g., wheel), such that the dehumidifier 300 rotates with the rotatablesurface 20, but can alternatively be mounted to the reservoir connector600 (e.g., valve stem connector), mounted to a structure proximal therotatable surface 20 (e.g., axle), be mounted distal the rotatablesurface 20 (e.g., to the body of the vehicle), or be otherwise mounted.The dehumidifier 300 is preferably mounted to the housing of theinflation system 100, which is, in turn, mounted to the rotatablesurface 20, but can alternatively be directly mounted to or integratedwith the rotatable surface 20.

The inflation system 100 can include one or more dehumidifiers 300. Whenthe inflation system 100 includes multiple dehumidifiers 300, thedehumidifiers 300 can be arranged in series, in parallel, or in anyother suitable arrangement.

The dehumidifier 300 is preferably connected downstream from the pump200, within the inflation fluid path or inflation manifold connectingthe pump outlet and the reservoir 10 (e.g., between the pump 200 and thereservoir 10 or reservoir connector 600). However, the dehumidifier(s)300 can additionally or alternatively be arranged: between a preliminarydehumidifier 300′ and the reservoir 10 or reservoir connector 600;upstream from the pump 200 (e.g., at the pump inlet, at the workingfluid source-inflation system interface), downstream from the pump 200,downstream from the reservoir 10, or otherwise arranged. Thedehumidifier 300 preferably extends across the fluid path (e.g., suchthat the pressurized working fluid 32 flows through the dehumidifier 300to the reservoir 10), but can alternatively extend parallel the fluidpath (e.g., such that the pressurized working fluid 32 flows parallelthe dehumidifier 300 and/or over the dehumidifier surface), at an angleto the fluid path, or in any other suitable orientation to the fluidpath.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include one or more preliminarydehumidifiers 300′ located upstream of the primary dehumidifier 300(e.g., such that the inflation system 100 is a multi-stagedehumidification system). The preliminary dehumidifier 300′ can belocated: upstream of the pump 200 (e.g., at or before the pump inlet),between the pump 200 and the dehumidifier 300, or otherwise located. Thepreliminary dehumidifier(s) 300′ can be one of the dehumidifier typesdiscussed above, or be any other suitable dehumidifier. The system canoptionally include one or more secondary dehumidifiers arrangeddownstream (e.g., in the inflation flow path 110) from the humidifier(e.g., primary humidifier).

The dehumidifier 300 is preferably arranged distal heat-generatingcomponents, such as the pump 200, the tire, the axle, the control system700, the battery, or the brakes, but can alternatively be arrangedproximal the heat-generating components (e.g., on the heat-generatingcomponents, adjacent the heat-generating components, etc.). For example,the dehumidifier 300 can be located: opposing the heat-generatingcomponent across the inflation system 100, in the coolest location ofthe inflation system 100, in a portion of the inflation system 100exposed to airflow during vehicle movement, or in any other suitableposition.

Additionally or alternatively, the dehumidifier 300 can be thermallyinsulated from the heat-generating components (e.g., with thermalinsulation arranged between the dehumidifier 300 and the heat-generatingcomponent(s)), thermally connected to the heat-generating components,selectively thermally connected to the heat-generating components (e.g.,by a mechanical actuation system; by the control system 700; a valve 120that controls component-heated gas flow through or adjacent thedehumidifier 300, etc.), or otherwise related to the heat-generatingcomponents.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include a condensation drainthat egresses the extracted vapor fraction (e.g., condensate) from theinflation system 100. The condensation drain is preferably fluidlyconnected to one or more of the dehumidifier 300, but can alternativelybe fluidly connected to any other suitable component. The condensationdrain is preferably profiled to preclude condensate backflow (e.g.,include a backward-swept extension, opposing the forward-rotationdirection; include a serpentine segment; etc.), but can befunnel-shaped, conical, or have any other suitable geometry. Thecondensation drain is preferably arranged along a radially outwardportion of inflation system 100 (e.g., along the housing perimeter; bearranged radially outward of downstream fluid path, etc.), such that thecondensate separated from the working fluid collects at the condensationdrain (e.g., due to centripetal force generated by rotating system).However, the condensation drain can be otherwise arranged.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include a drain valve thatfunctions to control fluid egress from the condensation drain. The drainvalve is preferably fluidly connected to the condensation drain, morepreferably to a radially-outward portion of the condensation drain, butalternatively any other suitable portion of the condensation drain. Thedrain valve can be active or passive. Examples of drain valves that canbe used include: a centripetal valve 122, a solenoid, a check valve, thevalve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,604,157, which is incorporated hereinin its entirety by this reference, or any other suitable valve.Alternatively or additionally, the inflation system 100 can include awater selective membrane or other water egress control mechanism at thecondensation drain outlet.

In one example, the inflation system 100 includes a dehumidifier 300(e.g., including a desiccant 320) fluidly connected in series within theinflation manifold, between the pump 200 and the reservoir connector600. In operation, pressurized working fluid 32 flows from the pump 200,through the dehumidifier 300, to the reservoir connector 600. In asecond example, the inflation system 100 can be substantially similar tothe first example, and additionally include a compressor upstream fromthe dehumidifier 300. In a first specific example, the upstreamcompressor is the pump 200, wherein pump compression or pressurizationof the working fluid extracts a portion of the vapor fraction from theworking fluid. In this specific example, the pump chamber can include acondensation drain and/or a drain valve to selectively purge theextracted water from the system. However, the compressor can be aseparate compressor upstream from the pump 200 (e.g., be a preliminarypressurization pump 200, be a preliminary compressor), downstream fromthe pump 200, or be otherwise located. In a third example, the inflationsystem 100 includes a filter (e.g., particulate filter, water filter)upstream from the pump 200 (e.g., at the pump inlet, upstream from thepump inlet). In a fourth example, the inflation system 100 includes acondensation manifold downstream from the pump 200. The condensationmanifold can be a part of the inflation manifold or be fluidly connectedin series with the inflation manifold. The condensation manifold caninclude a series of curved channels (e.g., tortuous, etc.), wherein thecurved channels can include one or more nucleation points (e.g., roughedges, etc.). The condensation manifold can optionally include acollection region 124 and a drain valve that purges the condensed liquid126 (e.g., water) from the system. In a fifth example, the inflationsystem 100 includes a combination of one or more of the configurationsmentioned above (e.g., forming a multi-stage water removal system).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the inflation system 100 can optionallyinclude one or more regeneration systems 400 that functions toregenerate one or more of the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., the desiccant320). The regeneration system 400 preferably returns the dehumidifier300 back to the initial adsorption capacity, rate, or efficacy, but canalternatively or additionally return the dehumidifier 300 back to apredetermined adsorption capacity, rate, or efficacy (e.g., 90%, 80%,70%, etc. of the initial capacity), or achieve any other suitablemetric. The regeneration system 400 can heat the dehumidifier 300, purgethe dehumidifier 300, scrape the dehumidifier 300, or otherwise increaseor recover the water-removal properties of the dehumidifier 300.

The regeneration system 400 is preferably mounted to the rotatablesurface 20 (e.g., wheel), such that the regeneration system 400 rotateswith the rotatable surface 20, but can alternatively be mounted to astructure proximal the rotatable surface 20 (e.g., axle), be mounteddistal the rotatable surface 20 (e.g., to the body of the vehicle), beseparate from the wheel or vehicle, or be otherwise located. Theregeneration system 400 is preferably mounted to the housing of theinflation system 100, which is, in turn, mounted to the rotatablesurface 20, but can alternatively be directly mounted to or integratedwith the rotatable surface 20.

The regeneration system 400 can regenerate the dehumidifier 300: at apredetermined frequency, in response to occurrence of a regenerationevent, when the tire is deflated, or at any other suitable time. Theregeneration event can include: a dehumidifier 300 condition being met,a pressurized working fluid condition being met, a tire deflation event,or any other suitable event. Examples of dehumidifier 300 conditionsthat can trigger regeneration system operation include: dehumidifiermass change beyond a predetermined threshold, dehumidifier operationbeyond a predetermined duration (e.g., determined based on the vaporcontent of the unpressurized working fluid 32, the desiccant operationparameters, etc.), dehumidifier volume exceeding a predetermined volume,or any other suitable dehumidifier condition. Examples of pressurizedworking fluid conditions that can trigger regeneration system operationinclude: the vapor content of the dehumidified, pressurized workingfluid 34 egressing out of the dehumidifier 300 exceeding a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., humidity exceeding a predetermined threshold); or anyother suitable pressurized working fluid condition.

In a first variation, the regeneration system 400 is on-board theinflation system 100. In this variation, the regeneration system 400 canregenerate the dehumidifier 300 during vehicle operation, duringinflation system rotation with the wheel, while pumping or tireinflation, between tire inflation periods, during tire deflation, orregenerate the dehumidifier 300 during any other suitable systemoperation mode. In a second variation, the regeneration system 400 isseparate from the inflation system 100, wherein the dehumidifier 300 isreplaceable. However, the regeneration system 400 can be otherwisearranged relative to the dehumidifier 300.

The regeneration system 400 can include a heating element 410 thatselectively heats the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., desiccant 320). Theregeneration system 400 can include no heating elements, or one or moreheating elements 410 per dehumidifier 300. The heating elements 410 canbe shared across one or more dehumidifier 300 on the same inflationsystem 100 (e.g., in parallel, in series, etc.). The heating elements410 can be actively or passively controlled. When the heating element410 is actively controlled, the heating element 410 can be controlled bythe control system 700 (e.g., based on the inflation system's 100operation state, based on whether a regeneration event has occurred,based on the dehumidifier operation parameters, etc.) and powered by theon-board power source (e.g., battery, energy harvesting system, pump 200drive mechanism, etc.). The type of heating element 410 paired with eachdehumidifier 300 can be specific to the type of dehumidifier 300, or beotherwise selected.

The heating element 410 is preferably thermally connected to thedehumidifier 300, such as the interior or the housing of thedehumidifier 300, but can be fluidly connected to the dehumidifier 300(e.g., fluidly connected to the desiccant 320 within the dehumidifier300), or otherwise connected to the dehumidifier 300. The heatingelement 410 can be arranged: within the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., along aninterior surface of the dehumidifier 300; throughout the volume of thedehumidifier 300, such as including resistive threads or wiresthroughout the desiccant 320 body), along the exterior of thedehumidifier 300 (e.g., along an exterior surface of the dehumidifier300), arranged distal the dehumidifier 300, or otherwise arranged. Theheating element 410 can be: a heater (e.g., resistive heater, carbonheating element 410, etc.), a thermal conduit (e.g., selectivelyconnecting the desiccant 320 housing with waste gas from heat-generatingcomponents), a thermal manifold (e.g., selectively flowing gas, heatedby waste heat from heat-generating components, through the desiccant320), or any other suitable heating element.

The regeneration system 400 can include a purging system 420 thatselectively purges adsorbed fluid from the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., fromthe desiccant 320).

The purging system 420 can be used independently of the heating element410 (e.g., wherein the regeneration system 400 can include or excludethe heating element 410), or be cooperatively used with the heatingelement 410 during dehumidifier regeneration. The regeneration system400 can include no purging systems or one or more purging systemspurging systems per dehumidifier 300. Each purging system can be sharedacross one or more dehumidifier 300 on the same inflation system 100(e.g., in parallel, in series, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the purging system 420 preferably purgesthe dehumidifier 300 using purging fluid from a purging fluid source,but can alternatively use any suitable fluid. In this variation, thepurging system selectively fluidly connects the dehumidifier 300 withthe purging fluid source.

The purging fluid is preferably has the same fluid composition as thepressurized and/or dehumidified and pressurized working fluid 32 (e.g.,supplied to the tire), but can alternatively be a different fluid.

The purging fluid source can be: the ambient environment, the pump 200,the tire (example shown in FIG. 2), a secondary gas canister, thedehumidifier 300 (example shown in FIG. 8), a second dehumidifier 300,or be any suitable purging fluid source. When the purging fluid sourceis the tire, the regeneration system 400 can: only purge thedehumidifier 300 during tire deflation (e.g., when the control system700 determines that the tire should be deflated); opportunisticallypurge the dehumidifier 300 with tire air 12 during tire deflationevents, and purge the dehumidifier 300 with pump 200—supplied air atother times; purge the dehumidifier 300 using short bursts of tire air12 (e.g., to prevent substantial tire deflation); or otherwise purge thedehumidifier 300 with tire air 12.

The purging fluid is preferably dry gas (e.g., having a humidity lessthan a predetermined humidity, such as less than 0.1% humidity, lessthan 1% humidity, less than 5% humidity, etc.; less than the equilibriumwater vapor pressure of the wetted desiccant 320; having the tirehumidity; etc.), but can alternatively have the ambient humidity, bedrier than the ambient gas, or have any other suitable humidity.

The purging fluid is preferably supplied to the dehumidifier 300 via apurging manifold 430 (e.g., regeneration manifold) defining aregeneration flow path, wherein the purging manifold 430 is fluidlyconnected to the dehumidifier 300 at a first end, and fluidly connectedto the purging fluid source at a second end. In a first variation, thepurging manifold 430 can be the inflation manifold used to supplydehumidified, pressurized working fluid 34 to the tire. In thisvariation, the inflation manifold can optionally include a bidirectionalvalve (e.g., active valve, such as a solenoid; a passive valve operatingbased on pressure differentials between the dehumidifier-side and thetire-side of the valve; etc.) that permits fluid flow from thedehumidifier 300 to the tire in the inflation operation mode (e.g.,opens toward the tire), permits fluid flow from the tire to thedehumidifier 300 in the regeneration mode, and is closed during thestandby mode. In a second variation, the purging manifold 430 can beseparate and/or distinct from the inflation manifold. In this variation,the manifold can be entirely open, wherein purging fluid flow can becontrolled by a valve in the tire connector (e.g., selectively opened bythe control system 700 during the regeneration mode or the deflationmode); include a valve (e.g., such as that mentioned above); or includeany other suitable flow regulation mechanism.

At the dehumidifier endpoint, the purging fluid is preferably coolerthan the dehumidifier temperature (e.g., the dehumidifier operationtemperature, the heated dehumidifier 300, etc.), but can alternativelybe: cooler than a predetermined temperature (e.g., less than 10 deg C.,between 0 and 10 deg C., less than 20 deg C., etc.; which can bedetermined based on the material characteristics of the dehumidifier300), cooler than or at the ambient temperature, at the tiretemperature, less than a predetermined temperature difference from theambient temperature, be hotter than the ambient temperature or tiretemperature, or have any suitable temperature at the dehumidifierendpoint.

At the purging fluid source, the purging fluid can be hotter than thetarget purging fluid temperature (at the dehumidifier endpoint), whereinthe purging fluid can be cooled en route to the dehumidifier 300. Thepurging system can include: a heat pump 200 (e.g., piezoelectricsystem), cooling fins in the purging manifold 430 (e.g., fluidlyconnected to the ambient environment or other heat sink), one or moreexpansion chambers (e.g., isobaric expansion, isoentropic expansion,etc.), or any other suitable cooling system.

The purging fluid (at the dehumidifier endpoint) can have a pressure:higher than the pressure adjacent the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., higherthan the vapor pressure of the wetted desiccant 320), higher than theambient pressure, substantially equivalent to the tire pressure, or haveany suitable pressure.

The purging fluid can be flowed through the body of the dehumidifier 300(e.g., through the thickness, height, width, etc. of the dehumidifier300; through drying channels, such as tortuous channels or linearchannels defined through the dehumidifier volume; through pores in thedehumidifier 300; etc.), across the top of the dehumidifier 300 (e.g.,to remove humidified air entraining water desorbed from heated desiccant320), or along any suitable portion of the dehumidifier 300. The purgingflow path 430 through the dehumidifier 300 can be the same as the dryingflow path (e.g., a segment of the inflation flow path no), be the dryingflow path in reverse, be a separate flow path, or be otherwiseconfigured. The purging fluid flow through the dehumidifier 300 ispreferably turbulent, but can alternatively be laminar, bubbled through,or have any suitable flow characteristics through the dehumidifier 300.

The purging system 420 can optionally fluidly connect the dehumidifier300 with a humid sink via a purge outlet fluidly connected to the purgemanifold, wherein the humid sink can include: the ambient environment,the pump inlet, or any other suitable volume. The purge outlet caninclude a purge valve (e.g., active valve, passive valve, etc.), beopen, or be otherwise configured. In one variation, the purge valve canbe normally-closed, except during system operation in the regenerationmode.

The purging system 420 can be actively or passively controlled. When thepurging system is actively controlled, the heating element 410 can becontrolled by the control system 700 (e.g., based on the inflationsystem's 100 operation state, based on whether a regeneration event hasoccurred, based on the dehumidifier operation parameters, based on thetire pressure, etc.) and powered by the on-board power source (e.g.,battery, energy harvesting system, pump 200 drive mechanism, etc.). Whenthe purging system is passively controlled, the purging system can becontrolled based on: the upstream manifold pressure from the purgingfluid source (e.g., wherein a passive valve, connected to a regenerationmanifold, opens when the upstream pressure from the fluid source exceedsthe valve's cracking pressure); the weight of the dehumidifier 300(e.g., wherein a dehumidifier 300 having at least a threshold mass isforced radially outward by centripetal force generated by the rotatingsystem, and actuates a valve to permit purging fluid flow therethrough);or otherwise controlled.

However, the regeneration system 400 can include: a scraping mechanism,a blowoff system (e.g., a blowoff valve), a dehumidifier 300 replacementsystem (e.g., a tray), a drying agent, or any other suitableregeneration system.

In a first specific example, the regeneration system 400 includes apurging system (e.g., including a regeneration manifold and a purgevalve) selectively fluidly connecting the tire (or tire connector) tothe dehumidifier 300, wherein the regeneration system 400 purges thedehumidifier 300 with tire air 12. In this example, the regenerationmanifold can be the same as the inflation manifold, or be a separatemanifold (e.g., connected in parallel with the inflation manifold to thedehumidifier 300 and the tire connector). In this example, theregeneration manifold can be connected to the ambient environmentdownstream of the dehumidifier 300.

In a second specific example, the regeneration system 400 includes apurging system substantially similar to the first specific example,except that the regeneration manifold is fluidly connected between thepump 200 and the dehumidifier 300, and the regeneration system 400purges the dehumidifier 300 with pressurized working fluid 32 from thepump 200. In this variation, the valve between the dehumidifier 300 andthe tire (e.g., in the tire connector) can be selectively closed toprevent humid air from entering the tire.

In a third specific example, the regeneration system 400 includes aheating element 410 thermally connected to the dehumidifier 300, whereinthe heating element 410 heats the dehumidifier 300 to desorb theentrained water.

In a fourth specific example, the inflation system 100 includes acombination of one or more of the configurations mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation system 100 can optionally include acooling system 500 that functions to cool the working fluid and/or thedehumidifier 300. The cooling system 500 is preferably thermally andfluidly connected to the working fluid and/or the dehumidifier 300, butcan be otherwise connected to any suitable inflation system component.The inflation system 100 can include one or more cooling systems 500. Acooling system 500 can be arranged: between the pump 200 and thedehumidifier 300, in series within the regeneration manifold (e.g.,between the tire and the dehumidifier 300), within the inflationmanifold, off the regeneration manifold, or otherwise arranged. Examplesof cooling systems 500 that can be used include: a thermal exchangesystem (e.g., cooling fins, etc. thermally connected to the ambientenvironment or other thermal sink), an expansion chamber (e.g.,isobaric, isothermic, isoenthropic, etc.), a fan, a heat pump 200, orany other suitable cooling system.

In a specific example, the inflation system 100 includes a coolingsystem 500 (e.g., an expansion chamber) between the pump 200 and thedehumidifier 300. In a second specific example, the inflation system 100includes a cooling system 500 (e.g., an expansion chamber) between thedehumidifier 300 and the reservoir connector 600 (e.g., tire connector).In a third specific example, the inflation system 100 includes a coolingsystem 500 (e.g., an expansion chamber) in the regeneration manifold,between the tire and the dehumidifier 300. In a fourth specific example,the inflation system 100 includes a combination of one or more of theconfigurations mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation system 100 can optionally include areservoir connector 600, which functions to interface the inflationsystem 100 with the reservoir 10 and to supply pressurized working fluid32 to and/or from the reservoir 10. The reservoir connector 600 ispreferably connected to the inflation manifold downstream from thedehumidifier 300, and is preferably configured to connect to an inlet oroutlet of the reservoir 10. The reservoir connector 600 can optionallybe fluidly connected to the regeneration manifold (e.g., be bifurcatedand include a 2- or 3-way valve when the regeneration manifold isseparate from the inflation manifold). The inflation system 100 caninclude one or more reservoir connectors 600, more preferably one foreach reservoir 10 (e.g., each tire) on an axle end, but canalternatively include any suitable number of reservoir connectors 600.The reservoir connector 600 can be: an orifice (e.g., through the wheelrim, such as when the inflation system 100 is integrated into thewheel), a Schrader valve fitting (e.g., configured to threadably engagethe tire valve stem), or be otherwise configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation system 100 can optionally include acontrol system 700 that functions to control dehumidifier regeneration,pump operation, tire inflation, tire deflation, and/or any othersuitable component operation. The control system 700 preferably controlsthe inflation system 100 to meet target parameter values (e.g., targetpressures, target working fluid humidity, target operation duration,target temperatures, etc.), but can alternatively or additionally beotherwise controlled. The target parameter values are preferably storedon-board the system, but can alternatively be calculated, selected, orotherwise determined. The control system 700 can include: amicroprocessor, a CPU, a PGU, memory (e.g., flash, RAM), or any othersuitable computing system. The control system 700 can be connected to:the active components of the inflation system 100 (e.g., pump 200,valves, heating elements 410, etc.), the on-board power source (e.g.,battery), on-board sensors, or any other suitable endpoint.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include on-board sensors 40 thatfunction to monitor one or more parameters of the inflation systemcomponents (example shown in FIG. 2). Examples of sensors that can beused include: kinetic sensors (e.g., IMUs, gyroscopes, accelerometers,etc.); humidity sensors (e.g., hygrometers); pressure sensors (e.g.,TPMS); thermometers; odometers; height sensors; weight sensors; or anyother suitable sensor. In a specific example, the dehumidifier 300includes a hygrometer fluidly connected to the dehumidified workingfluid egressed by the dehumidifier 300 (e.g., connected downstream fromthe dehumidifier 300; integrated into the reservoir connector 600,etc.). In a second specific example, the regeneration system 400includes a temperature sensor connected to the heating element 410, thedehumidifier 300 (e.g., within the housing), and/or the purge outlet,wherein the temperature sensor can monitor the dehumidifier temperature.In a third specific example, the inflation system 100 can include apressure sensor fluidly connected to the inflation manifold, and beconfigured to monitor the pressure of the pressurized working fluid 32.However, the inflation system 100 can include any other suitable set ofsensors arranged in any suitable configuration.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the inflation system 100 can additionallyinclude a housing 800 that functions to statically mount, rotatablymount, encapsulate, and/or protect one or more of the inflation systemcomponents (e.g., pump 200, dehumidifier 300, etc.). The housing canadditionally function to define the collection area 124 (e.g., of theseparator). The housing 800 is preferably substantially rigid, but canalternatively be flexible. The housing 800 can be pressurizable (e.g.,hold an interior pressure above atmospheric without failing), or besubstantially un-pressurizable. The housing 800 can include a vent thatvents the contents of the casing to the ambient environment when theinterior pressure of the housing exceeds a threshold pressure. Thehousing 800 is preferably a disc, but can alternatively be prismatic orhave any other suitable shape. In a first variation, the housing can beremovably statically couplable to the wheel, and can include mountingmechanisms (e.g., via nuts, bolts, screws, adhesive, etc.). In thisvariation, the housing 800 is preferably configured to mount to the hubof the wheel, but can alternatively mount to the spokes, the rim, or toany suitable portion of the wheel. In a second variation, the housingcan be the wheel itself. However, the housing 800 can be otherwiseconfigured. The housing 800 preferably defines all fluid manifolds inthe inflation system 100 (e.g., the inflation manifold, regenerationmanifold, etc.), but the fluid manifolds can additionally oralternatively be tubes, hoses, or otherwise configured.

The inflation system 100 can optionally include valves, filters,separators (e.g., cyclone separators), manifolds, or any other suitablecomponent. The inflation system 100 can include any number of the above,arranged in any position upstream of the reservoir 10. In one example,the inflation system 100 can include one or more purge valves fluidlyconnected to and/or configured to control fluid flow out of: the pumpchamber, the coalescing system, the dehumidifier 300, between thedehumidifier 300 and the reservoir connector 600, or any other suitablecomponent.

In variations, the inflation system 100 can be configured to facilitatethe transfer of dry air from the tire to the desiccant 320 in order toregenerate the desiccant 320. As shown by example in FIG. 6, suchvariations of the inflation system 100 can include a pump 200, adesiccant 320, and a flow path between the pump 200 and the desiccant320 and between the desiccant 320 and the tire. In this example (asshown in FIG. 6), the inflation system 100 can further include a firstpurge valve between the pump 200 and the ambient environment, a secondpurge valve between the desiccant 320 and the ambient environment, and acontrol valve between the desiccant 320 and the tire volume. The systemcan be operable between at least a compression mode (e.g., inflationmode), a purging mode, and a regeneration mode. In one variation, in thecompression mode, the control valve (e.g., in the tire connector) isoperated in the open state (e.g., permitting compressed fluid flow fromthe pump 200, through the desiccant 320, into the tire), and the firstand second purge valves are operated in the closed state (e.g.,preventing fluid flow from the pump 200 or desiccant 320 to the ambientenvironment). In this variation, in the purging mode, the first purgevalve (e.g., drain valve) is operated in the open state, and the secondpurge valve (e.g., the purging system's purge valve) and the controlvalve are operated in the closed state. In this variation, in theregeneration mode, the first purge valve is operated in the closedstate, and the second purge valve and the control valve are operated inthe open state such that dry compressed air from the tire is permittedto expand through the desiccant 320 and into the ambient environment(e.g., to regenerate the desiccant 320). However, the inflation systemcan be otherwise configured and operated.

4. Method

As shown in FIG. 9, the method for wheel-end tire inflation includes:pressurizing a working fluid to generate pressurized working fluid S100;dehumidifying the pressurized working fluid to generate dehumidifiedworking fluid S200; and providing the dehumidified working fluid to thetire mounted to the wheel S300. The method functions to inflate the tirewith dehumidified, pressurized working fluid. The method is preferablyperformed using the system disclosed above, but can alternatively beperformed using any other suitable system.

All or a portion of the method is preferably performed while theinflation system is mounted to and/or rotating with the wheel, but allor portions of the method can alternatively be performed while the wheelis stationary (e.g., when the vehicle is stopped, when the vehicle isparked, etc.) or at any other suitable time. In one example, theinflation system can inflate the tire (e.g., operate in the pumping orinflation mode) during wheel rotation, and purge the dehumidifier (e.g.,operate in the purging mode) when the wheel is stationary. In a secondexample, the inflation system can both inflate the tire (e.g., operatein the pumping or inflation mode) and purge the tire (e.g., operate inthe purging mode) during wheel rotation, preferably sequentially butalternatively concurrently. In a third example, the inflation system candeflate the tire (e.g., operate in the deflation mode) and purge thetire (e.g., operate in the purging mode) during wheel rotation,preferably concurrently but alternatively sequentially. However,portions of the method can be otherwise temporally related to wheeloperation.

The method is preferably performed continuously, but can alternativelybe performed intermittently, consecutively, or in any other suitableorder. Different processes of the method can be mutually exclusive(e.g., cannot be performed together; only performed in a given mode), orbe concurrently performed or performable. In one example, the dehydratorcan only be regenerated (e.g., the system can only operate in theregeneration mode) when the tire is not being inflated (e.g., when thesystem is not operating in the inflation mode; example shown in FIG.11). In a second example, the dehydrator can only be regenerated (e.g.,the system can only operate in the regeneration mode) when the tire isbeing deflated (e.g., when the system is operating in the deflationmode). In a third example, the dehydrator can be regenerated (e.g., thesystem can operate in the regeneration mode) while the tire is beinginflated (e.g., when the system is operating in the inflation mode;example shown in FIG. 10). However, portions of the method can beotherwise temporally related to other method processes.

All or a portion of the method can be controlled by the control system,based on stored target parameter values, sensor measurements, vehicleoperation parameters, tire operation parameters, or any other suitablepiece of data.

Pressurizing a working fluid S100 functions to generate pressurizedworking fluid for tire inflation. The working fluid is preferablypressurized with one or more pumps (e.g., connected in series or inparallel), but can be otherwise pressurized. The working fluid ispreferably ingressed from the ambient environment into the pump, but canalternatively be otherwise sourced. The working fluid is preferablypressurized to the target tire pressure, but can alternatively beunderpressurized or overpressurized. S100 can be performed: continuouslyduring wheel rotation; in response to occurrence of an inflation event(e.g., when the pressure sensor in the tire connector indicates that thetire has fallen below a target tire pressure; at a predeterminedfrequency; etc.); or at any suitable time.

Dehumidifying the pressurized working fluid S200 functions to generatedehumidified working fluid. The pressurized working fluid is preferablydehumidifed with one or more dehumidifier (e.g., connected in series orin parallel), but can be otherwise dehumidified. The working fluid ispreferably ingressed from the pump, but can alternatively be ingressedfrom a cooling system arranged between the pump and the dehumidifier, orbe otherwise sourced. The working fluid is preferably dehumidified tothe target tire air humidity, but can alternatively be more or lesshumid. S200 is preferably performed after S100 for a given fluid packet,but can alternatively or additionally be performed before or duringS100. S200 can be performed: continuously during pump operation;continuously during system operation in the inflation mode; or at anysuitable time. S200 preferably includes flowing the pressurized workingfluid through the dehumidifier (e.g., through the desiccant bed in thedehumidifier), but can alternatively or additionally include:compressing the vapor fraction out of the working fluid, filtering thewater out of the working fluid (e.g., with a coalescing filter ormanifold), or otherwise removing some or all of the vapor fraction fromthe working fluid. In a first example, S200 includes flowing thepressurized working fluid through a dehumidifier en route to the tireconnector. In a second example, S200 includes condensing the waterfraction out of the working fluid concurrently with working fluidpressurization (e.g., with the pump), then flowing thepartially-dehumidified, pressurized working fluid through thedehumidifier. This example can optionally include collecting thecondensed liquid, purging the condensed liquid out of the system, or anyother suitable process. Purging the condensed liquid can be performedusing: the pressurized working fluid; centripetal force, generated byinflation system rotation with the wheel, to push liquid radiallyoutward, toward condensation drain; or otherwise accomplished. In athird example, S200 includes coalescing water from the pressurizedworking fluid (e.g., from the pump) with a coalescing manifold or filterbefore flowing the partially dehumidified, pressurized working fluidthrough the dehumidifier. This example can optionally include collectingthe condensed liquid, purging the condensed liquid out of the system, orany other suitable process. In a fourth example, S200 includes filteringwater out of the working fluid before pump pressurization. In a fifthexample, S200 includes a combination of all or some of the above.However, S200 can be otherwise performed.

Providing the dehumidified, pressurized working fluid to the tiremounted to the wheel S300 functions to inflate the wheel withdehumidified, pressurized working fluid. The dehumidified, pressurizedworking fluid is preferably provided through the tire connector, but canbe otherwise provided. The dehumidified, pressurized working fluid ispreferably pressurized to the target tire pressure, but canalternatively be underpressurized or overpressurized. The dehumidified,pressurized working fluid is preferably dehumidified to the target tirehumidity, but can alternatively be more or less humid. S300 ispreferably performed after S200 for a given fluid packet, but canalternatively or additionally be performed before or during S200. S300can be performed: continuously during pump operation; continuouslyduring system operation in the inflation mode; or at any suitable time.S300 preferably includes temporarily actively or passively opening thetire valve (e.g., the Schrader valve) when the fluid packet reaches thetire connector, but can include any other suitable process.

The method can optionally include regenerating the dehumidifier S400,which functions to remove some or all of the adsorbed fluid from thedehumidifier. S400 is preferably performed with the regeneration system,but can alternatively be performed with any suitable component. S400 canbe performed: during pumping, during pump rotation with the wheel,during tire inflation, during tire deflation, or at any temporalrelationship to the other processes.

S400 can be performed upon occurrence of a regeneration event, or at anysuitable time. The regeneration event can be determined based on systemoperation parameters satisfying a regeneration condition, or beotherwise determined. The regeneration event can include: apredetermined duration being met; the wheel rotation rate falling aboveor rising above an angular velocity threshold; when tire inflation isnot needed (e.g., to hit the target tire pressure); when tire deflationis needed (e.g., to hit a target tire pressure); when a dehumidifieroperation parameter set satisfies a regeneration condition, or any othersuitable event. The regeneration conditions can include: an estimatedhumidity of the dehumidified, pressurized working fluid (output by thedehumidifier) exceeding a predetermined humidity threshold; the workingfluid flow rate (through the dehumidifier and/or out of thedehumidifier) falling below a predetermined threshold; the working fluidmass exceeding a predetermined threshold; the dehumidifier mass orvolume exceeding a predetermined threshold (e.g., determined based onthe pressure exerted by the desiccant on the dehumidifier walls; basedon the centripetal force generated by the dehumidifier during inflationsystem rotation with the wheel; etc.); or any other suitable condition.

S400 can cease upon occurrence of a stop event, or at any suitable time.The stop event can include: tire deflation (operation mode) cessation,the tire nearing a predetermined (minimum) tire pressure, apredetermined purge duration being met (e.g., predetermined, set basedon the desiccant type and estimated saturation at the beginning of theS400 iteration), or any other suitable stop event.

In one variation, S400 includes heating the dehumidifier with theheating element S420 (example shown in FIG. 12). The dehumidifier ispreferably heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., determined basedon the degradation temperature of the dehumidifier and/or the adsorptiontemperature of the dehumidifier), but can additionally or alternativelybe heated to any suitable temperature. The dehumidifier is preferablyheated for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., for the duration ofS400, for a predetermined period of time before purging, for 5 min, for10 min, etc.), but can alternatively be heated for any suitable periodof time.

In a second variation, S400 includes purging the dehumidifier with apurging fluid S440 (example shown in FIG. 12). In one embodiment, thedehumidifier is purged with tire air (e.g., purged with pressurizedworking fluid from the tire). In a second embodiment, the dehumidifieris purged with pressurized working fluid from the pump. However, thedehumidifier can be otherwise purged. S440 can be performed before,after, during, or independent of S420 performance. S440 can optionallyinclude cooling the purging fluid (e.g., from the tire, the pump, etc.)prior to purging fluid introduction into the dehumidifier (example shownin FIG. 13). However, S440 can be otherwise performed.

The method can optionally include cooling the pressurized working fluidS500, which functions to decrease the temperature of the pressurizedworking fluid (example shown in FIG. 13). S500 can be performed after,during, and/or before dehumidifying the pressurized working fluid. Invariants, this can maximize performance of the desiccant, sincedesiccants can adsorb more water within a specified temperature range.The pressurized working fluid can be cooled to a temperature within theoperational temperature range for the dehumidifier, or to any othersuitable temperature. S500 is preferably performed with a cooling systemarranged upstream from the dehumidifier (e.g., within the inflationmanifold), but can be performed with any other suitable component.

The method can optionally include partially deflating the tire uponoccurrence of a deflation event prior to pressurizing the working fluid.The deflation event can include: the current tire pressure exceeding atarget tire pressure, or any other suitable deflation event. The methodcan optionally include periodically inflating and/or deflating a tire.

Embodiments of the system and/or method can include every combinationand permutation of the various system components and the various methodprocesses, wherein one or more instances of the method and/or processesdescribed herein can be performed asynchronously (e.g., sequentially),concurrently (e.g., in parallel), or in any other suitable order byand/or using one or more instances of the systems, elements, and/orentities described herein.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention defined in the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. An inflation system for a tire mounted to a first wheel, theinflation system comprising: a housing configured to mount to the firstwheel; a pump mounted to the housing; a tire connector connected to thepump by a fluid path, the tire connector mounted to the housing andconfigured to connect to the tire; a pressure sensor fluidly connectedto working fluid in the tire; and a dehumidifier, arranged within thefluid path between the pump and the tire connector, that is mounted tothe housing.
 2. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein thedehumidifier comprises a desiccant, wherein the inflation system furthercomprises: a regeneration system mounted on the first wheel andselectively fluidly connecting the dehumidifier and the tire to purgethe dehumidifier with the working fluid from the tire; and a controlsystem configured to control the pump based on data from the pressuresensor and control dehumidifier purging based on operation parameters ofthe dehumidifier.
 3. The inflation system of claim 2, wherein: theregeneration system comprises a heating element mounted on the firstwheel; the control system is further configured to control the heatingelement to heat the dehumidifier during the dehumidifier purging; andthe inflation system further comprises a power source electricallyconnected to the heating element.
 4. The inflation system of claim 3,wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 5. The inflation system ofclaim 2, further comprising a condensation egress mechanism fluidlyconnected to the dehumidifier and communicatively connected to thecontrols system.
 6. The inflation system of claim 2, further comprisinga humidity sensor, wherein the control system operates based further ondata from the humidity sensor.
 7. The inflation system of claim 6,wherein the control system is configured to selectively connect theworking fluid from the tire to the dehumidifier based on the data fromthe humidity sensor.
 8. The inflation system of claim 2, furthercomprising an expansion valve, wherein the working fluid from the tireis selectively connected to the dehumidifier by a purging pathway duringdehumidifier purging, wherein the purging pathway passes through theexpansion valve.
 9. The inflation system of claim 2, further comprisinga cooling system connected to the fluid path between the pump and thedehumidifier.
 10. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the housingis pressurizable.
 11. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein theinflation system rotates synchronously with the first wheel.
 12. Theinflation system of claim 11, wherein a length of the fluid path is lessthan a radius of the tire.
 13. The inflation system of claim 1, whereinthe inflation system further comprises a power source and a controlsystem, wherein the control system is connected to the power source andthe pressure sensor.
 14. The inflation system of claim 13, wherein thepower source comprises an energy harvesting mechanism, wherein theenergy harvesting mechanism is contained within the housing.
 15. Theinflation system of claim 1, further comprising a second dehumidifier,separate and distinct from the dehumidifier, that is connected to thefluid path downstream of the pump and upstream of the dehumidifier. 16.The inflation system of claim 15, wherein the second dehumidifier isfurther connected to the fluid path, downstream of the dehumidifier. 17.The inflation system of claim 1, further comprising a passive egressmechanism fluidly connected to the dehumidifier and arranged along aradially outward portion of the housing.
 18. The inflation system ofclaim 17, wherein the passive egress mechanism is fluidly connected to aparticulate filter.
 19. The inflation of system of claim 1, wherein asecond tire is mounted to a second wheel, wherein the first wheel andthe second wheel share a hub, wherein the inflation system furthercomprises: a second tire connector connected to the pump by a secondfluid path, the second tire connector mounted to the housing andconfigured to connect to the second tire, wherein the second fluid pathpasses through the dehumidifier.